Why powdery mildew is poisonous

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As a hobby gardener, you not only face the problem that powdery mildew kills plants and is highly contagious for other plants, you also face it The question arises whether the fungus can become toxic to you when you handle infested greens and whether it is powdery mildew or not You are also determined by the question of whether and why powdery mildew is poisonous if you were to eat it, as this plant pest not only occurs on ornamental plants, but also z. B. useful plants such as berry bushes and fruit trees and their fruits are also attacked. The question of whether and to what extent powdery mildew is poisonous will now be explained below.

A leaf that has been infected with powdery mildew.
A leaf that has been infected with powdery mildew. © segovax / Pixelio

As with all types of mushrooms, the mildew the greatest danger is the spurs. Not only do these spread throughout the garden to infect other plants, they can also be inhaled by you.

When powdery mildew has fallen on your crops

  • Powdery mildew is subdivided into the terms “real powdery mildew” and “downy mildew”, both of which in turn represent only a generic term for different, identical-looking mushroom species. Powdery mildew forms a white fungal lawn that, like flour - hence the name - can be easily wiped off the leaves, twigs and buds. However, the fungus cannot be removed in this way.
  • Downy mildew penetrates the plants and can be recognized by yellowish to brownish spots. Downy mildew also affects the fruits of a plant, so brown, hard spots on gooseberries, grapes and apples are a sure sign of this type of powdery mildew.
  • Powdery mildew should best be avoided by mixing rock flour into the soil when planting, avoiding too much moisture or Before flowering, spray all plants with an agent that strengthens the resistance of the plant, this is what you get in Specialist stores.
  • Do not dispose of heavily infested plants on the dung heap in your garden, from there the powdery mildew would spread through its spores.
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  • Powdery mildew is not so toxic that you need special protection, but always wear gloves when gardening and respiratory protection if you want to protect the plants from powdery mildew by spraying them.

Are infected fruits and vegetables poisonous?

  • If you are allergic to penicillin or certain types of mold, then you should also be careful with powdery mildew spores, as they are at greater risk of allergies. Powdery mildew is not toxic in the sense of toxic, but it can impair the wellbeing of sensitive people while handling infected plants. Be it because of breathing problems or a rash.
  • Basically, it can be said that powdery mildew is not one of the "dangerous" types of fungus, as it is not that poisonous. However, sensitive people, i.e. allergy sufferers, small children and old or debilitated people, are fundamentally more at risk when consuming fruit and vegetables, which in turn is directly affected by powdery mildew.
  • If you belong to this group, in the worst case scenario, you are at risk of moderately severe to severe abdominal pain, especially if you eat infected raw food, such as salad and Berry. In the case of vegetables and fruits that are boiled or even boiled down, you can assume that the spores will be destroyed.
  • Whether powdery mildew is poisonous or not is a bit of a matter of interpretation, you are not threatened with severe, life-threatening poisoning, but powdery mildew can have a negative effect on well-being. To be on the safe side, skip the harvest for a year and only collect again in your garden when you have no more powdery mildew on your plants.

fruit and vegetables that are eaten raw should always be rinsed thoroughly under running water before consumption.

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